The Ross community has once again shown its enthusiasm for supporting a good cause. Throughout the month of February, the Brighton campus collected books to give to the Friends of the Brighton District Library, a nonprofit organization that supports the Brighton District Library.
Almost 100 books were collected by students, staff, and faculty. The donated books spanned many genres, and everything from John Grisham to Dr. Seuss was represented when the eight boxes were dropped off on March 1.
The Friends of the Brighton District Library strives to support the library and community. Throughout the year, the Friends will have book sales and special events to raise money for the library, which is then spent on equipment, materials, and services for the library to provide to the community. The Friends also offer a membership that comes with perks like early access to book sales. Money received through selling memberships goes toward bettering the library, as well.
Susan Mall, Campus Director in Brighton, played a key role in helping to get a millage passed in the 1990s to establish the Brighton District Library, where previously there had only been Brighton City Library. Brighton City Library received city funding but wasn’t enough to serve communities outside of the city of Brighton.
The whole campus came together to donate books, with almost all of the staff and half of the students participating. Many of the books that were collected will be sold to raise money while children’s books will be saved for summer reading programs.
Staff members were especially enthusiastic about the book collection. Office Assistant Donna Wilson, a retired Special Education teacher, brought in many children’s books for the drive. She said, “Reading is vital to all children’s lives and learning. Reading provides experiences that students might not otherwise get.”
As March is Reading Month, the books were donated just in time. More information about the Friends of the Brighton District Library can be found at http://brightonlibrary.info/fol/.